💡

The Networking Channels You're Ignoring (And You Shouldn’t 🫣)

Type

Knowledge

Date

December 2, 2025

You're in Hong Kong looking for a job. You've hit up some industry events, polished your LinkedIn, maybe gone to a mixer or two.

But let me tell you what most international job seekers completely miss.

🎪 Formal Events: Yeah, They're Fine, But…

Industry conferences and networking mixers have their place, always. Conversations about work flow naturally. Everyone's there for the same reasons. Finding a Career Opportunity, finding a good prospect, make the company more visible, etc.

The reality check:

These can take long time to pay off. You're building trust that might turn into something in 6 months. It's not transactional — you generally can't just show up and expect a job lead by the end of the night.

And iff you walk in with "hire me please" energy, people will avoid you.

So let's talk about where a lot of opportunities actually come from.

👥 Your Friends: Stop Assuming They Get It

This sounds stupidly simple, but most people screw it up.

You have friends in Hong Kong right now.

Do they actually know you're looking for a job? I mean, do they REALLY know?

Here's what to do today:

The Friend Reality Check:

Write down every friend you have in Hong Kong

Answer honestly: Do they know what job you actually look for? And in which industry?

Have you told them you're job hunting? (Specifically, not just a vague social post)

Could they pitch you to someone if an opportunity came up?

Do you know who's in their network?

Have you asked if they know any recruiters / hiring manager / headhunter?

Do you know if their company is hiring?

Then actually have these conversations. Not in a group chat. Not in a "hey if you hear of anything..." way. When you see them, say: "I'm looking for [specific role]. Do you know anyone in that space? Can I tell you about what I'm good at so you can keep an ear out?"

Most people (even more friends) want to help. They just don't know how because you haven't made it easy for them.

🎯 Passion Clubs: Where Nobody's "Networking"

This is where it gets interesting.

Your hobby groups. Book club. Football team. Rock climbing gym. Yoga class. Whatever.

You're meeting the same people every week in a relaxed setting. You're building actual friendships, not fake networking relationships. And then one day, someone mentions their company is hiring, or they introduce you to someone, or they remember you when they hear about an opening.

For example, I got my own job in HR (yes, I don’t work only for Fast Track 😊) because I met a person at my theater club that got the right contact.

Check my article to know more: 📣Finding My Dream Job in Hong Kong: How I Did It (And How You Can Too!)

Your Passion Network Activation:

Join one new activity group this month (something you actually enjoy)

Show up consistently

Build real friendships first—don't mention job hunting immediately

After relationships form, casually mention what you're looking for

Let people know how they can help if they hear something

Groups that could work for you:

Sports leagues (football, rugby, dragon boat, climbing)
Book clubs and reading groups
Theater or improv classes
Photography walks
Coding meetups
Cooking classes
Yoga or martial arts studios

🙏 Religious & Spiritual Communities

If you're part of one, use it.

These communities often have built-in support systems. People actively want to help other members. There's already a foundation of trust and shared values.

How to approach it: Don't be weird and transactional. Participate authentically. Build relationships. Then when the time feels right, mention you're exploring opportunities in [specific field].

Many religious communities in Hong Kong have professional networks, mentorship programs, or members who are well-connected in business.

🎓 Alumni Networks: Your Built-In Tribe

Hong Kong cares about where you went to school. A lot.

And good news, schools love connecting alumni.

Your university alumni group isn't just for nostalgic meetups. It's a network of people who already have something in common with you and who often actively help fellow graduates.

Alumni Network Action Plan:

Find your university's Hong Kong alumni group (check LinkedIn, Facebook, WeChat)

Join their WhatsApp or WeChat group

Attend the next alumni event (even if virtual)

Reach out to 5 alumni working in your target industry

Ask for 20-minute coffee chats to learn about their path

Alumni help alumni. It's just how it works.

🌏 Friends Who Moved in HK in the past and still have contacts

People from your home country who relocated to Hong Kong before you did? They're gold.

They understand exactly what you're going through. They've figured out how things work here. They've built networks. And they usually want to help people from back home.

Find them through:

Expat Facebook groups
LinkedIn (search [your university/city] + Hong Kong)
Industry associations
Cultural organizations (French Chamber, German Business Association, etc.)

🤝 Volunteer Work: Networking in Disguise

You're working alongside people. They see how you operate, how you think, how you solve problems. You're building real relationships through shared purpose.

Plus: The people who volunteer their time are often well-established professionals. They're giving back because they can afford to. That usually means they're connected.

Volunteer opportunities in Hong Kong:

Food banks and community kitchens
Environmental groups (beach cleanups, hiking trail maintenance)
Animal welfare organizations (for example, I volunteer at Pawns United Charity)
Tutoring and education programs
Home country association (for example, I worked for the UFE, the Union of French Nationals Abroad, as responsible of animating/helping the french job seeker community)
Professional skills-based volunteering (marketing for nonprofits, etc.)

Your Volunteer Strategy:

Pick one cause you actually care about

Commit to a certain numbers of hours per month

Show up consistently and build genuine relationships with other volunteers

After relationships form, mention what you're looking for

Of course, don't volunteer just to network. Pick something meaningful. People can tell when you're there for the wrong reasons.

How to Actually Do This

Look, the trick isn't to show up at your book club and immediately start asking everyone for jobs. That's weird and no one will help you.

Instead:

Be specific about what you want. Not "a job in tech." Try "a product manager role in a Series B startup, ideally in fintech or ecommerce."
Tell people naturally. When someone asks what you're up to: "I'm job hunting actually—looking for [specific thing]. If you know anyone in that world, I'd love an introduction."
Make it easy for them to help you. Send them a short message after: "Here's exactly what I'm looking for and what I'm good at. If you meet anyone who might be relevant, would you mind sharing my details?"
Actually participate in these communities first. Don't show up to one yoga class and start asking for jobs. Build real relationships. Then when opportunities come up naturally, people will think of you.
Follow up and say thank you. If someone makes an intro, update them. If someone's advice helps, tell them. People help people who appreciate it.

Your next job probably won't come from a formal networking event. It'll come from a friend of a friend, someone you volunteer with, or a person you've been playing tennis with who mentions their team is hiring.

The international professionals who find good jobs in Hong Kong aren't the ones with the best elevator pitches. They're the ones who build real relationships and make it easy for people to help them.

So before you sign up for another LinkedIn event, text three friends and ask if they know anyone in your target industry. Join that running club you've been thinking about. Actually tell people what you're looking for.

Networking isn't about collecting business cards. It's about building a life in Hong Kong where people know you, like you, and think of you when opportunities come up.

✨ Take Action Today

Immediate Next Steps:

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Attend your next networking event to start building those crucial face-to-face connections
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